688 Action Items Found

Inputs 3.2.6
Ensure water conservation practices are called for in lease agreements for state- and town-owned land used for agriculture.

Inputs 3.2.7
Create demonstration areas or pilot projects where cisterns or other water catchment systems are incorporated into the farm landscape and farming system, particularly in urban environments. Provide technical assistance to size the water harvesting devices and incentives or grants for incorporating water harvesting techniques.

Inputs 3.3.1
Expand research to identify and fill gaps in the literature about the level of non-point source water pollution that agricultural activities can generate.

Inputs 3.3.2
Provide more resources and introduce regionally-appropriate program reforms to improve water quality. The NRCS, UMass Extension, and non-profits should provide additional technical assistance and resources.

Inputs 3.3.3
Provide technical and financial support to farmers for irrigation and waste water testing, to assist in compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations and USDA’s Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) certification.

Inputs 3.3.4
Provide more technical support to urban farmers on water quality impacts from urban farming.

Inputs 3.3.5
Include a representative from the urban farming sector on the NRCS’ State Technical Committee to represent the particular needs of the Massachusetts urban farming sector.

Inputs 3.3.6
Research the impact that urban agriculture has on stormwater runoff reduction and treatment.